Learn about Carriage Hill Kennels and meet the team!

Carriage Hill Kennels is proud to offer a state-of-the-art facility with friendly, highly-trained staff to look after your pets every need. We offer you the peace of mind you need while giving your pet all the love and attention it deserves.

Founded in 1961, Carriage Hill, is family owned and operated, and was created by dog and cat lovers for dog and cat lovers. Carriage Hill features spacious indoor/outdoor kennel runs, an attentive staff and personalized grooming services. We subscribe to the highest pet industry standards in the care of your pet, including the Pet Care Services Association and National Dog Groomers Association of America Code of Ethics.

We are very proud of our fully insured licensed facility and enjoy showing it off. Please take a moment to look through our site. You will see that Carriage Hill is the most experienced boarding, grooming, training and swimming facility on the North Shore.

Chris Cocallas

Chris Cocallas began working at Carriage Hill in 1966 on a part-time basis to learn the family business. By 1971 Chris was a full-time employee and one of the most sought after and popular groomers on the North Shore. Among his many professional achievements, Chris has competed and placed in the Midwest Dog Grooming Contest in 1978 and 1979. Chris was born and raised on Chicago’s North Shore. His stellar reputation in the profession is due largely in part to his family’s high moral ethics and professional work standards taught to him by his parents.

Chris’s love for animals extends beyond the walls of Carriage Hill. His respect and dedication for both people and animals have led to his involvement with several community organizations. One such group, The Dogs with Disabilities Service Dog Association has been a recipient of puppies donated by Chris to be trained as service dogs to work with disabled patients in need. Chris works professionally with the Glenview Police Animal Control Unit, Lambs Farm and other local organizations assisting with the housing and care of lost and stray dogs.

Chris is a registered breeder of AKC (American Kennel Club) Labrador Retrievers since 2000 and Labradoodles since 2005. Chris operates his breeding practice, named Dominator Labs, which has produced both qualifiers and champions for the AKC Field Trial National Championship.

Francine Barnes

Francine began her career at Carriage Hill in 1966. She briefly left the family business to attend Taylor University in Upland, Indiana where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology in 1975. Francine’s management of the Carriage Hill business and clients are just part of her professional responsibilities. Francine is the Master Design Stylist for Carriage Hill. Francine meets with each client personally to determine the most effective and beneficial grooming method for each dog. Francine’s passion is training dogs. She counsels pet owners on behavioral and emotional issues and concerns. Francine has been training and observing animal behavior for over 40 years. In her professional career Francine has counseled hundreds of clients.

Francine loves to share her knowledge and teach. She taught Sunday school at Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Glenview. She has worked with a variety of local schools on work study programs, animal education seminars, and working with the elderly in nursing homes. “The need to help and develop is part of my personal nature and something that provides me with a great deal of satisfaction and professional fulfillment.”

Francine also shows American Quarter Horses. Recently, she won her first all-around championship, at the 2008 Bayer Select World Championship Show and also won the 2008 World Championship in Western Riding.Email Francine: francine@carriagehillkennels.com

Bob Barnes

Bob Barnes has been with Carriage Hill since 2000 as Business Manager. Bob’s responsibilities include, management of finances, supervision of kennel operations, management and training of staff, ensuring the building is immaculately maintained and all guests’ needs are being met. Bob studied at Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, Colorado where he majored in business.

Bob is also a breeder of English Springer Spaniels and professionally trains dogs specializing in swimming retrieval. Bob’s professional affiliations include Trout Unlimited and Pheasants Forever.

Jackie Czarnik

Jackie Czarnik has been with the Carriage Hill family for over 15 years. She is responsible for the day to day office management, client relations, customer communications and appointment scheduling. Jackie maintains the client profiles and records of all customers to ensure that all specific and special requests for each pet are met.

History

In 1961, Jim and Doris Cocallas opened Carriage Hill Kennels. Jim trained and boarded dogs while Doris made grooming a special part of her life.

Over the years, the Cocallas children, Chris and Francine, grew up and learned the family business, which included doing kennel chores to learn all facets of the business operations developed by their mother and father. Jim and Doris supervised and instructed the children on professionalism, a high standard of business ethics and customer relations.

Both now married, with children of their own, Chris and Francine supervise all operations of Carriage Hill, along with Francine’s son Bob. The entire Cocallas family and their experienced, dedicated staff, believe that pet care requires a special abiding love for our animal visitors. At Carriage Hill, your pet is a valued part of our family.